Speakers include: David Shoebridge (Greens candidate, NSW state election); Nick Riemer (Refugee Action Coalition); Anti-deportation Alliance speaker; Amnesty speaker
We await the shape of the next government, after an election campaign that was a sickening race to the bottom on refugee policy between Tony Abbott and Julia Gillard. Neither major party has a mandate for refugee bashing. The party gaining the strongest swing was The Greens, who stood up for refugee rights.
The breakout by Afghan detainees at Darwin detention centre, following protests by Indonesian fishermen who are unfairly being charged with "people smuggling", show that the issue is not going away. There are now around 3000 people in detention as a result of the visa freeze, in places including Curtin detention centre, which means the protests inside detention are likely to continue. This forum will discuss the election result and what it means for refugee rights over the next three years.
Sydney Uni, New Law building room 100, (enter main City Rd entrance, look for signs)
Organised by Refugee Action Coalition